Namibia Newsletter July, 1987

INTERNATIONAL GATHERING CHALLENGED TO ACTION by Donald C. Flatt Peoples' Organization (SWAPO), who spent 18 years in South African jails prior to his release in "Our problem is NOW, " said Bishop Kleopas Dumeni, in 1985; David de Beer, a South African churchworker in a keynote address at the National Conference on exile; and Lutheran Bishops James Crumley, Will Herz- . "Communism is not our problem . feld and David Preus . An unexpected guest at the con- is our problem NOW ." And his statement was backed by ference was the Rev . Tschenuwani Farisani of Venda, a report of atrocities committed by the South African South Africa, who, after four detentions by the Venda Defence Force just in the few days since he left Namibia Security Police, is currently undergoing treatment at the to attend the conference. Center for Torture Victims, in St . Paul, Minnesota . A greeting to the convention was received from the Rev. Speaking to the National Conference on Namibia, March Jesse L. Jackson of the National Rainbow Coalition, 20-22, in St . Peter, Minnesota, Bishop Dumeni was refer- closely associating that body with the Namibian cause. ing to the fact that South Africa: * has been illegally occupying Namibia for the past 21 The workshop leaders were strong in analysis, informa- years, tion and education . This writer attended workshops on * has defied U .N . Security Council Resolution 435 re- "The History of Resistance," the "Namibian Economy," quiring free elections under U .N. supervision, and "Legislative Action on Namibia, led respectively by * has imposed puppet governments under South African a Namibian social scientist, Dr . Kaire Mbuende, teaching control, in Lund, Sweden, an extremely able economist, Dr . Allan * is using Namibia as a base from which to attack the Cooper from Raleigh, North Carolina, and a talented socialist government in , young woman, Jackie Wilson, from the Washington Of- * is collaborating with UNITA, an Angolan "contra" fice on Africa. movement (see other articles about UNITA in this Newsletter), In the economic field, it was made painfully clear that * is oppressing and brutalizing the whole population of Namibia is being plundered by multi-national corpora- northern Namibia with its military occupation. tions, and literally stripped of its minerals and ocean fish resources . The effect of economic sanctions was The conference at Gustavus Adolphus College was at- evaluated as primarily symbolic and psychological ; in tended by six hundred people, including more than 100 fact, South African financial interests are being rapidly Namibians, as well as the presiding bishops of the three expanded in this country. Our lecturer warned that sanc- uniting Lutheran churches in the . It was tions may push South Africa to declare unilateral in- jointly organized by the Lutheran Colleges Task Force dependence for Namibia under the puppet "transitional on Peace and Justice, and Gustavus, with the strong sup- government," and then use it as an open channel for port of Lutheran World Ministries, the " Free Namibia trade with the U .S. Emphasis" of the ALC, and National Namibia Concerns. In the "legislative action" workshop, the stopping of aid The conference was both inspirational and educational, for UNITA (the Angolan rebel faction) and early in- and at the same time, strongly challenging to any com- dependence for Namibia were stressed as high priorities placency that may exist concerning South Africa's dou- of the Washington Office on Africa . We were reminded ble dealing and de-stabilizing impact on the whole of that $500,000,000 U .S. tax dollars have been used in sub- southern Africa . The sympathy of the Churches, and in sidizing the Chevron Oil wells in Angola ; meanwhile, we particular, Lutherans, for the people of Namibia is give UNITA (and by implication, South Africa) underscored by the fact that nearly three-quarters of a $15,000,000 to help destroy them! Two pointed questions population of c . 1,400,000 are Christian, with the were raised in discussion : (1) Why do all our allies, as Lutheran churches accounting for nearly two-thirds of well as the and the Organization of the total. African Unity, recognize the government of Angola, while the U .S . does not? (2) Why do we demand the Among the prominent speakers were : Bishop Kleopas Cubans leave Angola, while we continue to give aid to the Dumeni of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia; threat (South Africa and UNITA) which hold the Cuban Andimba Toivo ja Toivo, Executive Secretary of the troops there? (continued) (continued from cover page) One resolution was unanimously adopted by the con- situation being given high priority. The matters for ference, and Bishop Dumeni was asked to convey it to urgent concern and action are: the U .S . Secretary of State : "We, the participants of the National Conference on Namibia at Gustavus Adolphus, 1. To re-affirm the urgent necessity for Congressional re-affirm our long-term advocacy of `Freedom for support for UNSC Resolution 435, thus soliciting sup- Namibia' as spelled out in the U .N. Security Council port for Congressman Dymally 's "Sense of the Resolution #435, calling for free, U .N. supervisied elec- House " Resolution #131. tions in Namibia . We believe that the freedom of Namibia in no way depends on the presence or absence of 2. To block an anticipated move by South Africa to Cuban troops in Angola. Now is the time for implementa- declare the present puppet ( " Multi-Party " or " transi- tion of UNSC Resolution 435 ." tional" ) government of Namibia to be the duly con- stituted government. In a final "Free Namibia Emphasis " constituency meeting it was urged that every church paper have a 3. To stop the aid to UNITA and secure the withdrawal regular "Africa Report " column, with the Namibian of all South African troops from Angola and Namibia.

"It was so brief—but intense and vivid, like a When that happens, we need to remember the dream," said one long time Namibia advocate refer- courage of those who are on the "front lines " in ing to the National Conference on Namibia held at Namibia. And we need to remember the heroes who Gustavus Adolpus College in March . Never before have gone before us. in this country had so many Namibians gathered, nor so many people concerned about the plight of As we were leaving the campus, we stopped for a that country . For many of us it was "like a dream ." moment to say good-bye to David de Beer, whose concise, clear statement of the role of the church in But now the magic of those three days has faded the Namibian struggle had been the keynote somewhat and the realities of the struggle present message of the conference . At the age of 21, David themselves . Namibia, and the situation there, is still became the Administrator of the Anglican diocese largely unknown to the rest of the world, even to in Namibia, working with Bishop Colin Winter, one our next door neighbors! We have not yet succeed- of the great heroes in this story . In 1972, they had ed in making " Namibia" a " household word . " It is both been deported because of their strong witness not yet a point of debate in our political campaigns. against apartheid. There are even strong efforts to make our foreign policy more supportive of South African supplied Elected "Bishop in Exile, " Colin Winter continued terrorists (like UNITA and RENAMO) which to work tirelessly on behalf of his people in spite of undermine independence efforts throughout failing health . Bishop Winter died in 1981 at the age southern Africa. of 53 . In the closing eucharist service at Gustavus, we had sung Winter 's "Hymn to Freedom . " De We are faced with an enormous task. Be sure to Beer was remembering the first time he had heard read Donald Flatt's critique of the Gustavus Con- that hymn : "Colin sang it to me shortly after he ference—there is much to be done . Each delay had written it . He was so sick, and his voice was means death and suffering in Namibia. weak. He sang all alone . But today we sang it, hun- dreds of us, with full organ and trumpets . There Since the conference, our office and the Namibia was such power and hope . " It was, perhaps, a Concerns office at Wartburg have been swamped foretaste of the joy and celebration that will one day with phone calls from people wanting to take the come to Namibia . next step—borrowing films, organizing letter writing campaigns, setting up displays at church conventions . These efforts need to be intensified if we are to play a role in achieving the eventual in- dependence of Namibia.

The days at Gustvus were inspirational and energiz- ing. But now we are again separated from that mutual support. Again, we are a somewhat rag-tag army out in the trenches where we tend to feel isolated, alone in the struggle . TERRORIZES PATIENTS AT CATHOLIC HOSPITAL

Members of the notorious Koevoet police unit, searching for a wounded guerrilla, terrified patients at a Roman Catholic hospital in northern Namibia by aiming guns at them through the windows . The incident took place on March 14 at Okatana, 4 kms north of Oshakati in South African occupied Ovamboland . The pursued man, thought to be a SWAPO guerrilla, was not found.

A hospital nursing assistant said the Koevoet patrol had been told that a SWAPO guerrilla, wounded in a gun- fight, was on his way there for medical treatment . The shooting followed a SWAPO mortar attack on the South African military base at Ohanguena, near the Angolan border.

This was the second incident in the space of a few days in which Koevoet policemen have invaded hospital premises without the management 's permission. On March 17, a badly wounded man was removed from the Lutheran hospital at Onandjokwe, a few kilometres from the major South African military and police base at On- dangua . The man, Nathaniel Shikongo, has not been The close cooperation between the faith community heard of since, despite repeated requests for information and the liberation struggle is symbolized in this photo from medical and church quarters. as two leaders, Toivo ja Toivo and Bishop Dumeni Namibia Communications Centre move to embrace each other.

HYMN TO FREEDOM

Namibia, enchained in tyrant's bondage, Your people plead for freedom to be free A FINAL NOTE From rod and lash, from terror's sway a hostage. To you, Lord God, they cry in misery. As we go to press, we have been informed by our How long, 0 Lord, how long shall evil triumph? "modem" via and by Raleigh Def f enbaugh Flow long, 0 Lord, shall prisoners captive be? at Lutheran World Ministries in New York, that Joseph Dumeni, the 41-year old younger brother of Help of the helpless, comfort of the mourning, Bishop Dumeni and father of five small children Hope of the poor, the orphan 's sanctuary, was killed by South African soldiers on Sunday, They call for justice, shall that call be heeded? June 14, 1987, as he was returning by bicycle from They cry for mercy, shall they mercy see? just over the Angolan border where he had retriev- Arise, Lord God of hosts, their one defender, ed cattle stolen from him in early June. Smite tyrants' chains to set your people free. We invite your prayers for the Dumeni family, and Arise, Namibia, now your dawn is breaking. for an end to the oppression of apartheid . Those United march to claim your destiny— wishing to express their condolences directly may A people freed from racist domination, write to: Reformed in hope, destined for liberty. Let freedom ring from every hill and valley. Bishop Kleopas Dumeni Let justice stream for all the world to see. E.L.O.C. Oniipa Private Bag 2018 To you, Lord God of hosts, be glory given. Ondangwa, Namibia You gave us martyrs ; give us victory. The fire of freedom you alone implanted. Memorials are being received by National Namibia Children of freedom may we always be. Concerns and for SWAPO (South West Africa Peo- Namibia then one nation under heaven, ple 's Organization) . Upholding justice, truth and equity. Colin O'Brien Winter To be sung to the tune "Finlandia" STRATEGY FOR POLITICAL ADVOCACY: CRITIQUE OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE SCHOOL CHILDREN HIT IN CROSS-FIRE ON NAMIBIA In early March one school student was killed and eight The preceding very positive evaluation of the conference wounded in the cross-fire during a SWAPO mortar at- as a whole, due to the extremely dedicated efforts of a tack on the South African military base at Ohanguena. small group of people in planning and organizing, needs According to church sources, students maintain that to be balanced by some reservations concerning strategy South African soldiers deliberately place local people in and tactics in Advocacy. It was here that there are very danger by establishing their bases near civilian homes obvious weaknesses which must be corrected, if the and institutions, so that if SWAPO attack, the liberation "Free Namibia" movement is to have any success in tur- movement can be blamed for those killed in the cross- ning back the overwhelming impact of the South Africa fire . In this case, however, students allege they were at- propaganda machines, supported by the lobbying of tacked by a South African Koevoet detachment housed right-wing U .S . conservatives. temporarily near their school. 1. Ecumenical representation at the conference ap- The army claims that local people have given shelter to peared to be quite minimal - and even that just inciden- SWAPO guerrillas and support and hide them, so they tally. From some years in colonial government earlier should share the consequences of the War. in my career I am convinced that nothing short of a Namibia Communications Centre united front by all concerned churches, agencies and supporters will suffice to change the situation. FURTHER EVIDENCE OF KOEVOET'S 2. Media presence was very slight, as far as I could PUBLIC DISPLAY OF CORPSES observe, for a national event in which U .S . foreign policy was a major issue. Church sources report that, on March 13, a Koevoet patrol drove past the Roman Catholic Mission at Okatana 3. Advocacy priorities received almost no attention, displaying six dead bodies fixed to the spare wheels of and the one resolution that was submitted and approv- their Casspir armored personnel carriers . One of the ed was weak, and lacking the note of urgency the facts bodies was identified as a woman in her mid-twenties. demand . If we are not to be permanently in a re- The Casspirs displayed red flags and the policemen active and defensive position, we must develop a hooted and ululated as they drove past on their way to the clear strategy of well-considered, and sharply targeted Oshakati base . This practice, which has been used for ACTION, with nationwide support . Do we not need many years by the South African Defence Force, has Public Relations and Political Strategy standing com- been widely condemned by church and civil leaders. mittees, or at least task forces appointed for specific Recently, when pictures of corpse-laden Casspirs ap- periods and objectives? peared in The Namibian newspaper, the military authorities denied any knowledge, though they were I am convinced that, in the words of Ephesians 6 :12, we later forced to admit to their authenticity. are "not contending against flesh and blood, but against Namibia Communications Centre the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places," so that we need to be equipped with the whole armor of God, and use it! The BABY GIRL AMONG THOSE words of Bishop Dumeni at St . Peter, MN, should be DETAINED IN NAMIBIA written on our hearts : "We call upon you to shout to Washington, to your senators, to your congressmen . . . . I London : April 27, 1987 have said many times we need strong action, not A 3 month old baby girl and her parents are among per- weak games . We need a short, sharp shock, so that there sons known to be currently detained without trial in will be freedom tomorrow, not the slow squeeze that Namibia. Police in have confirmed that Mrs. means freedom twenty years from now." Are we listen- Wilika Aimma, her husband, Mr . Titus Shalimba and ing to this hurting, humble man of God - and really hear- their baby daughter are being held under security legisla- ing the cries of his people? tion. Church sources in Namibia first reported their ar- Donald C . Flatt - Dubuque. rest in February this year. March 28, 1987 Police also admit to holding seven others — Mrs . Mirjam Filippus, Mrs . Elizabeth Amukwaya, Mr. Konis Shoombe, Mr. Nestor Tobias, Mr . Lamek Kadhila, Mr. Josef Katofa and his father Mr . Katofa Shilongo. Church sources, however, insist that this is by no means a full list of people currently being detained by the South African controlled authorities in Namibia. Namibia Communications Centre SOUTH AFRICANS BURN DOWN NAMIBIAN STUDENTS TO STUDY AT 13 SCHOOLS IN NORTHERN NAMIBIA CALIFORNIA'S LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY by Pastor Rick Mark London : April 29, 1987 The South African army of occupation in Namibia has In the fall of 1984 I traveled to Namibia and South Africa adopted a scorched earth policy against primary schools with an American Lutheran Church study group . In our close to the Angolan border . Church sources in the ter- travels, one request heard over and over from the Nami- ritory report that in the past fortnight, at least 13 schools bians was, "Help us educate our young people ." have been bombed or set on fire by men who have come at night from nearby army bases . Other educational in- Upon returning home, I made a promise to myself that stitutions in the area are thought to be in danger. somehow monies would be provided to help educate one Namibian student at a Lutheran college or university. In an indirect reference to the South African connection, a leading churchman in the region, Bishop Kleopas For the past three years I have been speaking to con- Dumeni of the Evangelical Lutheran Church said yester- gregations, groups, and individuals about Namibia and day (Tuesday, 28 April) that "whoever is responsible is about my dream . In that time almost $6,000 .00 has been an enemy of our people and is not a friend of our com- committed to this fund. Yet four years at a Lutheran col- munity. " lege runs between forty-five and fifty thousand dollars plus travel costs to the United States from Namibia . The Despite the blanket of censorship thrown over the nor- total costs seemed overwhelming. thern war zone by South Africa, the churches, which have a huge following in Namibia, are still able to Just when things seemed impossible, the American disseminate information in an area where more than half Lutheran Church and Lutheran Church of America of the territory's population live . All 13 schools are developed a joint project to help bring Namibian students within 40 kms (25 miles) of the Angolan border. to this country to pursue higher education. What they needed was colleges, groups, or individuals to pick up tui- In one incident, on the evening of April 21, the Lutheran tion and room and board costs. clinic at Onheneliwa, as well as the state school offices next door, were bombed and burned out . The sister in Dreams do become realities. This fall, on September 8th, charge heard six explosions, while eyewitnesses reported Erna Johanna Elizabeth Arlow will begin classes at seeing uniformed members of the South African army in California Lutheran University. the vicinity . Namibia Communications Centre California Lutheran University will pay one-half of her forty-eight thousand dollar room, board, and tuition costs, ALC-LCA Student Project will pick up travel costs - and provide a monthly stipend and I through the sponsor- ship of five Lutheran congregations will pick up the $18,000 dollar balance . The five congregations commit- ted to help are: Good Shepherd, Sacramento ; St. Peter's, Elk Grove ; Zion, Stockton ; St . Paul's, Lodi ; and my home congregation of Emanuel, Lodi.

It is my hope and prayer that this one small effort will aid in helping the Namibians in their efforts for in- dependence.

"In truly democratic countries, parliaments exist to control the power of the executive . But in South Africa the legislative branch exists only to carry out the wishes of President Botha and his party," said the Reverend Jimmy Palos, head of the Methodist work in Namibia. Speaking to an informal gathering in Denver in May, Palos also said that Namibians feel that the U.S. is aiding South Africa in its efforts to keep Namibia from gaining independence . "They are disap- pointed that the world ' s greatest democracy has let them down, " said Palos, whose visit to this country was arranged by the U .S . Information Agency . NAMIBIAN CHURCH LEADERS TELL WCC even roasts children over fires to force them to spy for MEETING OF SOUTH AFRICAN ATROCITIES them. " IN NAMIBIA "Our young women," said Shejavali, "are especially ex- An international ecumenical gathering in Lusaka (4-8 posed to danger," since "men of the occupation army May) heard from church leaders in Namibia and South often force themselves on our young sisters . It is a Africa about conditions under white minority rule, a frightful thing ." He told the audience of a 14-year-old girl system one delegate called "Unchristian and racist ." from Ongwediva who was shot by a South African The meeting was organized by the World Council of defence force soldier for refusing to have sexual inter- Churches . Representatives of the Council of Churches in course with him . As a result of her injuries she had Namibia described acts of violence recently perpetrated undergone three operations and was still in great pain. in their country . There were also addresses by SWAPO, Many other young women had been assaulted, had "their the Namibian liberation movement, the African National arms broken, their heads beaten . How many young Congress, and the President of Zambia, Dr . Kenneth women have been assaulted in the rural areas and have Kaunda. been afraid to tell anybody of the attack?"

President Kaunda urged churches around the world to This was the army, said Dr . Shejavali, "which rapes our oppose the policies of governments, corporations and children and calls itself our protectors." banks which propped up that "obnoxious" South African Namibia Communications Centre government . Zambia assists more than 135,000 refugees, who have fled South Africa's occupation of Namibia or MILITARY TAKEOVER OF SINGLE its aggression in Angola and Mozambique. MEN'S HOSTELS FEARED IN KATUTURA Residents of Katutura, Windhoek's black township, fear Mr . , President of SWAPO, told the church that 5,000 "single men" will be evicted from the hostels leaders that SWAPO was ready to sign a crease-fire "any in which they are living so that the accommodation can time, anywhere " if South Africa would implement the be handed over to the military authorities . There are United Nations plan for Namibian independence. reports that the South African-backed " interim govern- ment" wants the move to begin in June . When originally At the opening worship service on May 4, Namibia announced, the plan was greeted with dismay by hostel- Roman Catholic Bishop, Bonifatius Haushiku, said the dwellers, who are almost exclusively from Ovamboland. day was one of mourning for Namibians . Nine years Some have already had to move twice, even three times, before, the South African army had attacked the refugee before. camp of Kassinga in southern Angola, killing 800 Nami- bian men, women and children, "in cold blood ." "These One local fear is that the hostels will be filled with people were refugees, innocent people running away soldiers of the South West Africa Territorial Force, the from the reign of terror and oppression of the apartheid black militia raised by the Pretoria government in an at- system of South Africa ." Haushiku told the church tempt to combat SWAPO . Katutura is largely sym- leaders that the suffering continues . "My people are dy- pathetic to the liberation movement, so the army ing today, dying now," he said. presence would be seen as a Trojan Horse spying on the estimated 60,000 inhabitants. Dr. Abisai Shejavali, General Secretary of the Council of Churches in Namibia, described the recent destruction of The other local objection to the move is the lack of ac- primary schools in the north of Namibia by South African commodation . There are already 800 residents without forces . "It is the South African army, who call houses. Hundreds of unemployed people have fled the themselves our protectors," he said, "who are destroying war-torn north, fearing for their lives . Large numbers of our schools . Are they protecting us from education?" If work seekers have left rural areas right across Namibia the children couldn't go to school, "they are losing in the hope of finding jobs in a country suffering a deep precious time, kept in ignorance and left with no hope for recession. the independence of their country ." The destruction of schools also meant teachers had no work or pay . She- But even if there was sufficient housing in Katutura javali warned that the South African authorities would itself, it would be out of the reach of most hostel- blame the liberation movement SWAPO for destroying dwellers . At the moment they pay a rental of R140 a the schools . "Do not believe this lie . The people know month, though most struggle to earn even the amount. who is attacking them, and it is not our brothers in the liberation movement ." The people of Katutura were forcibly moved from their homes in the in Windhoek in 1959, after Shejavali spoke of the particular terror experienced by fierce resistance in which 13 people were shot dead by children and women in the north of Namibia . Children, he the police . This was part of South Africa's apartheid pro- said, were often enticed by the army to spy on their gram. In the Herero language, "Katutura" means, "we parents and neighbours . If they refused, they suffered do not have a permanent home." severe reprisals — "the army beats them, kicks them and Namibia Communications Centre Nashilongo Elago, of the Namibian Women' s Voice, led a workshop on the situation of women in Namibia.

In the opening session, Anglican churchman, David de Beer, who was deported from Namibia in 1973, gave an excellent historical introduction, showing the strategic role played by the churches in the struggle or lnciepenaence. Bishop David Brown, member of the steering commit- tee for the "Free Namibia Emphasis, " and June Kjome, the ALCW's "Women to Women" visitor to Namibia , confer with Bishop Dumeni.

Solveig Kjeseth, Director of National Namibia Con- cerns, urged the participants to begin their advocacy efforts even before they left the Conference . Nearly 250 letters to legislators and political leaders were received at an "offering of letters" during the closing worship service.

The Conference was the scene of many reunions—in this case, Dean Tschenuwani Farisani, currently at the Center for Treatment of Torture Victims in St . Paul, and Pastor Susan Burchfield, deported from South Africa in 1987, and now serving a parish in Denver . At the United Nations, the Security Council met April 6-9, to consider the situation in Namibia . It had before it a WHAT'S report of the Secretary General which stated that U .N. Security Council Resolution 435 was ready for implemen- tation . Only South Africa stood in the way, because of its insistence that there be prior agreement At the National Constituting Convention of the new that Cuban troops in Angola be withdrawn before begin- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a "Message of ning the implementation of 435 . The U.N. does not Support to the Churches in Southern Africa" received recognize the validity of this "linkage" pre-condition. unanimous support from the delegates . Originally sub- mitted by John Beck, member of the National Namibia The African group put forward a draft resolution which Concerns Board, the resolution was amended and would have imposed U.N. sanctions along the lines of strengthened in floor discussion, giving strong indication U.S. sanctions passed in 1986, but the draft resolution of concern for Namibia and South Africa in the "new" was vetoed by the United States and Great Bri- church. tain. At Wartburg Seminary, Ilah Weiblen spent days on the "Ifind it interesting that the American government is telephone, finding sponsors for similar resolutions at the concerned that some. day, in the future, Namibia might various Synod Conventions . In addition to the expression possibly be oppressed by communism . These people are of support, we are asking for a Task Force on Namibia to worried about the future . How touching. Why is it be set up in each Synod . In an amazing effort, Ilah has then that these same people are not concerned about the located 78 persons to present the Namibian cause at 53 real oppression, the killing, the torture, the rapes, the Synod conventions. (We are pleased to report that in the imprisonment that is happening this very night. Our Rocky Mountain Synod the resolutions passed without oppressors are with us now, not in the future . " any problems .) Bishop Kleopas Dumeni ELC in Namibia

mits itself to the termination of apartheid and takes ALC DIVESTMENT DECISION STILL meaningful steps to achieve political and legal equality . " NOT CARRIED OUT A worthy sentiment.

Seven long years after the American Lutheran But why are the ALC Trustees still investing Church, in national convention, voted to divest its stock in American Cyanamid? Again and again the ALC in from companies doing business in South Africa, it still convention has voted to divest from all U .S. companies has not completed the process . The following letter was doing business in South Africa . A number of resolutions in response to a news article regarding recent called for the completion of ALC divestment before the stockholder action: new church, now named the ELCA, came into being.

May 11, 1987 Has the Board of Trustees of the ALC actually been free to disregard both spirit and letter of the repeated Mr. Lowell G. Almen mandates of the church in convention? Will it be the same Editor, The Lutheran Standard thing in the ELCA? 426 S. Fifth St. Box 1209 The ALC still has holdings in at least five companies in Minneapolis, MN 55440-1209 addition to American Cyanamid who are involved in South Africa : Bristol-Myers, NCR Corp ., Pfizer, Dear Sir: Squibb, and Allegis . Following the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Investor Responsibility, the Is the Board of Trustees not responsible to the ALC? ALC Trustees abstained from resolutions asking these companies to withdraw from South Africa. In the Lutheran Standard for May 8, 1987 appears an article called, "Trustees act upon stockholder resolu- Will the Trustees in the ELCA also have authority to tions." At its meeting March 5-6 the Board of Trustees weaken the witness of the church as the ALC Trustees approved recommendations on stockholder resolutions have been able to do? submitted to them by the Advisory Committee on In- vestor Responsibility. Sincerely,

On the surface the resolutions sound responsible and to the point. For example, American Cyanamid is asked to Peter L. Kjeseth stop sales of products or equipment to South Africa's Denver House of Studies Electricity Supply Commission until the country "com- Denver, CO 80218 HAPPENING . . .

After spending nearly two years as a volunteer ac- countant for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southwest Africa, Kent Johnson feels a special urgen- cy for the implementation of U .N. Resolution 435! Two comrades in the struggle for Namibian in- Now back in Iowa City, Kent and his wife, Lee (who dependence, Andimba Toivo ja Toivo, of Namibia, also served as a volunteer with the Council of Chur- and Ruth Jorenby, tireless worker from Blanchard- ches in Namibia), ordered special license plates, which ville, Wisconsin. give them a chance to explain the Namibian issue to all who ask.

NAMIBIAN DETENTIONS HIT CLOSE prisonments can be . Many are never seen again, even TO HOME without trial . Many are tortured and returned in pathetic condition. The following is excerpted from the monthly bulletin of Good Shepherd Lutheran, Decorah, Iowa, written by "I went, still not daring to register a shred of emotion, to Pastor Paul Hasvold . Usko and Frieda Shivute attended several of the Conference leaders and asked for more in- Good Shepherd during their years in Decorah. formation . An hour later, I learned that it was not Usko, but the headmaster of the school where Usko teaches, "On March 20-21, my observance of Holy Lent took me who had been detained . Not Usko!! By that time I had im- to the National Conference on Namibia . I experienced agined too much, and my deep sigh of relief was not there an ongoing, long-lasting, faith-challenging Lent for enough to make me forget that, while it was not Usko, it a whole people. Namibia, a country of over a million, has happened and is happening to many others. mostly Christian people (with Lutheran the largest denomination), is the last colony in Africa . It is controlled "I am not trying to play on your emotions . I did not men- illegally by the Republic of South Africa . It is one of the tion this among my other comments on Namibia in the `hot spots ' in our troubled world, part of a dangerously March 22nd sermon . I deliberately chose this "cooler" destabilized southern Africa which is a threat to world medium to make a precise point . I dare say that any of peace . . .. you who knew the Shivutes would have been as dismayed as I was. Realize then, that any of the people of Namibia, "In this article I want to personalize the historical situa- cherished friends of ours or not, live in that same kind of tion by sharing an experience from the conference. danger . I am determined not to forget my extreme reac- tion to that incorrect bit of information, in order that I "Anyone who was close to me on Sunday, March 22, will remember the situation of the Namibian people . I beg remember how nervous I was . I could hardly sit still to you:let the jeopardy of the ones we know so well sing the hymns . What happened was that I was still try- fill us with compassion for the many we do not ing to recover from a traumatic experience suffered know . . .. Saturday afternoon at the conference . In a workshop on education, led by a quiet, dignified British gentleman, I "Someday Namibia will be free . The people of Namibia made a contribution and referred to Usko Shivute . The will do many things to celebrate that great event, things man looked at me and said in a soft voice, "I am very characteristic of their own interesting cultures. But I sorry to tell you that Usko was arrested a few days ago ." know one thing that a large majority will do : They will worship God with great Thanksgiving! Just as I hear "Had I been of a different national background, I might them praying now within their country's Lent, so on that have shouted and raged, but like a good Norwegian boy I day, for that predominately Christian nation, it will be internalized it all and became like a stone . I have read nothing less than an Easter ." many books on Namibia and I know what those im- Prior to the National Conference, members of the Board of National Namibia Concerns met for their annual meeting . Here, part of the group discusses advocacy . Clockwise, from left, are Nancy Knoll, Denver ; David de Beer, Holland; Elizabeth Landis, New York; Peter Kjeseth, Denver ; Jubie Whitford, Darlington, Wisconsin ; Mark Gilderhus, Medford, Oregon ; Barb Fullerton, Columbiana, Ohio ; Solveig Kjeseth, Denver ; Rick Mark, Lodi, California; Bill Johnston, New York; Susan Burchfield, Denver ; Ruth Joren- by, Blanchardville, Wisconsin ; and Ilah Weiblen, Dubuque, Iowa . ACTION ALERT A. We still need to express our support for the Namibia by establishing a transitional government in Dymally Resolution (H . Res. 131) regarding Namibia which is appointed and controlled by the South U.S . policy toward Namibia! African Government; As yet there are only 22 co-sponsors in the House of Whereas South Africa has extended the apartheid Representatives, and no sponsor for a Senate version. system to Namibia through the enactment of oppressive PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND laws which dictate every aspect of the social, economic REPRESENTATIVES ASKING THEM TO SIGN ON and political lives of the Namibian people; AS SPONSORS . RESOLUTION Whereas South African military forces in Namibia con- tinue to be guilty of human rights violations on a massive To state the guiding principles of United States policy scale, including the detention of persons without charge, toward South Africa's illegal occupation of Namibia. torture, rape, and killings;

Whereas " self-determination " has been and will con- Whereas the principal threat to the human rights of the tinue to be the foundation of all democratic societies; Namibian people is the continued illegal occupation of Namibia by the colonialist South African Government; Whereas colonialization is a concept of the past and one that contradicts the true meaning of democracy; Whereas the United States Government rejects the il- legal occupation of Namibia by South Africa, has called Whereas South Africa has, with respect to Namibia, con- for the abolition of the apartheid system, and is the tinued to violate the United States Trusteeship System human rights champion of the world; and the ruling of the International Court of Justice which explicitly called for Namibia's independence; Whereas the United States supports United Nations Resolution 435, adoptd by the United Nations Security Whereas the United States Security Council in 1966, Council in 1978, which calls for the independence of under United Nations Resolution 264, which was sup- Namibia through the cessation of armed hostilities in ported by the United States, declared South Africa's oc- Namibia, the withdrawal of South African troops, and the cupation of Namibia illegal and called for South Africa's holding of elections that are supervised by the United Na- immediate withdrawal from Namibia; tions; and

Whereas in spite of the international community's over- Whereas the independence of Namibia is consistent with whelming support for Namibian independence, South American traditions and principles of democracy ; Now, Africa refuses to terminate it's illegal occupation of therefore, be it Namibia; RESOLVED, THAT IT IS THE SENSE OF THE Whereas South Africa has attempted to allay the growing HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE international pressure for genuine negotiations to reach a PRESIDENT SHOULD — settlement on the question of the independence of (more next page) 1. recognize the legitimacy of the plight of the Namibian region is destroyed by aiding UNITA, to which no people; Black nation has given significant support since it join- ed forces with South Africa . In July, 1985, the 21st 2. urge the Government of South Africa to take prompt Summit of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and effective actions to end its illegal occupation of declared that it would interpret any U .S. intervention Namibia and to implement United States Resolution on behalf of rebel forces in Angola as a "hostile act" 435; toward the OAU . Nearly every major anti-apartheid leader in South Africa and Namibia opposes U.S. aid 3. should take an active role in pursuing the resumption to UNITA . All of the leaders of the Front-Line States of negotiations between South Africa and truly oppose aid to UNITA and have criticized U .S . sup- representative leaders of the Namibian people; port . The U.S. and South Africa are the only countries in the world which do not recognize the Angolan 4. reject any policy which links the implementation of government. Resolution 435 to the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola ; and 3. Aid to UNITA will not bring about the withdrawal of Cuban troops . Cuban troops first 5. call for the termination of any business conducted by came to Angola to help repel the 1975 South African United States businesses in Namibia, until South invasion . Their continued presence is the result of Africa complies with Resolution 435. South Africa's repeated cross-border raids into and military occupation of Angola . Angola has repeatedly B . There was unanimous agreement at the National stated its desire to negotiate the removal of Cuban Namibia Conference : We must find some way to troops. However, South Africa has repeatedly end U .S. support for UNITA! sabataged these regional peace efforts . The best way to encourage a withdrawal of Cuban troops, who With the help of an expensive public relations firm and themselves show no interest in venturing beyond "far right" politicians, Jonas Savimbi has managed to Angola ' s borders, would be to demand that South win respectability for UNITA, fostering the illusion that Africa discontinue its invasions of Angola, support of it is a pro-democratic, anti-communist force . In fact, UNITA and illegal occupation of Namibia. members of Congress are afraid to sponsor legislation that would end U .S . aid to UNITA, for fear of being 4. UNITA violates human rights. UNITA has a labeled as "soft on communism . " history of bombing public places, kidnapping foreign technicians, killing innocent civilians and mining We must undertake the task of education—not only for village farmlands. According to the Washington the "grass roots " but also for members of Congress. The Post, all available accounts attribute the February Washington Office on Africa, a church-related lobbying 1986 massacre of 120 Angolans at Camabatela village organization offers the following six reasons to oppose to UNITA forces . UNITA's aggression has disrupted aid to UNITA . Please study them, circulate them, food production and distribution and caused one of the and then contact your representatives in continent 's worst famines . A recent UNICEF report Washington, urging that we give no more aid, documents that because of the war, Angola has one of either covert or overt, to UNITA . If our Con- the highest child mortality rates in the world . UNITA gresspeople begin to hear from their constituents on this, threatens to blow up Gulf Oil 's refinery in Angola, they may find the courage to end this indirect assistance thereby posing a serious threat to American lives. to South Africa. 5. Jonas Savimbi is an unreliable ally . Savimbi, SIX REASONS TO OPPOSE AID TO UNITA the leader of UNITA, is a political chameleon, chang- ing his alliances to suit his interests . He has been by 1. Aid to UNITA is aid to South Africa . Aid to turns stridently anti-imperialist, pro-capitalist and UNITA puts the U .S. in a de facto military alliance Maoist . In 1985, UNITA itself split because of with South Africa . South Africa provides approx- dissatisfaction with Savimbi's leadership . The imately 90% of UNITA's support and commits hun- dissidents accused Savimbi of "waging a war against dreds of men to its defense . For example, in 1985 those who do not obey him unconditionally," and call- South African planes bombed Angolan government ed him another Idi Amin. troops advancing on UNITA forces in southern Angola . South African troops have raided Angola over 6. UNITA cannot win. Savimbi' s human rights 11 times since 1976, often fighting side-by-side with abuses have cost him popular support. In addition, UNITA forces. analyses recently prepared by the CIA and the State Department concluded that UNITA cannot achieve a military victory, or negotiate a power sharing agree- 2. Support for UNITA damages U .S. relations ment with the Angolan government, even with in- with other African nations and isolates the creased U .S. aid . U.S. U .S. credibility as an impartial broker in the NAMIBIAN CHURCH LEADERS ASK BOTHA FOR MEETING TO END WAR rights" in an independent Namibia . Botha also insisted that the six parties in Namibia's interim government," an With the war in northern Namibia reaching new levels of unrepresentative body created by South Africa, should violence, Christian leaders in the country have asked to be at the meeting. meet South African State President P .W. Botha, whom they say is the only person who can resolve the current The church leaders' response to these preconditions was stalemate. made public on April 22, and while they clearly want a meeting to take place, they stressed their desire for a per- The request, made on April 8 and again on April 21, sonal meeting with Botha, without others present and came from church leaders representing Lutheran, without pre-conditions. Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and Congrega- tional churches, with membership totalling more than The churchmen 's present initiative coincides with 75% of the population of the country. reports of increased atrocities by the South African Defence Force against civilians in northern Namibia and President Botha responded to the first request through heightened SWAPO activity in white farming areas. his Administrator General (colonial governor) in the ter- Namibia Communications Centre ritory, Mr. Louis Pienaar, placing stringent conditions upon the agenda if the meeting is to take place.

In a statement issued on April 14, Botha conditionally agreed to meet the churchmen after the whites only elec- `People criticize us for being some sort of lunatic tion in South Africa . But Botha's agenda excludes any fringe, running around beating on South Africa. They discussion of the role of the South African occupation say `Come on now, things aren 't that bad. ' I'm telling forces in the country. you — they're more than that bad! " Dr. Jean Sindab "The meeting," said Botha, "will address the question of Committee to Combat Racism the cessation of violence by SWAPO" (the Namibian World Council of Churches liberation movement), and the question of " minority

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